Behavioral Risk Factors for Breast and Gynecological Cancers among Lesbians and Bisexual Women Compared to Heterosexual Women in the United States

Several studies have asserted that lesbians and bisexual women have higher prevalences of behavioral risk factors for breast and gynecological cancers than other U.S. women. The purpose of this study was to use a national data set to evaluate whether lesbians and bisexual women have higher prevalences than heterosexual women of behavioral risk factors for these cancers. Overweight and obesity, number of live births, number of lifetime male sex partners, oral contraceptive pill use, alcohol and tobacco use, utilization of preventive services, and sociodemographic factors were measured using questions from the 2002 (Cycle 6) National Survey for Family Growth. Self-reported sexual identity was used to separate female participants into heterosexual, lesbian, and bisexual groups for comparison. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate whether risk factor prevalence differed significantly according to sexual orientation. When compared to heterosexual women, lesbians and bisexual women were found to have higher prevalences of behavioral risk factors for breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Bisexuals were found to have a higher prevalence than heterosexual women of risk factors for cervical cancer, while lesbians were found to have a lower prevalence. This study suggests that special attention should be paid to the reduction of cancer disparities that may exist between sexual minority and heterosexual women by 1) reducing risk factors among them, 2) increasing their access to health care services, and 3)increasing their utilization of preventive services.